Sebastian Soderberg clinches European Masters in five-man playoff

Sebastian Soderberg wins maiden European Tour title after winning the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

Jack Seddon's picture
Mon, 2 Sep 2019
Sebastian Soderberg wins Omega European Masters

Sebastian Soderberg conquered the Swiss Alps by winning the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre in a dramatic five-man playoff.  

Five players finished the tournament at 14 under par, Soderberg, Rory McIlroy, Lorenzo Gagli, Kalle Samooja and Andres Romero who went into the final round with the overnight lead.

Soderberg, from Sweden, birdied the first playoff hole, while McIlroy, Samooja and Romero could only par the hole and Gagli fell even shorter with a bogey.

Tommy Fleetwood looked set to be a key challenger after three excellent rounds, but the Englishman, who this week was using a £90 putter bought off of eBay, couldn't keep up with the leading pack and finished 12 under par in T8.

"It's unbelievable. I've dreamt of playing on the European Tour - even better doing it this way," said Soderberg.

"I was more nervous in the beginning than I was towards the back nine. I got on a good run and the ball kept going in. Just playing with Rory, so many people around, playing with a guy like that adds heat to it right away.

"I proved to myself that I can play out here. I didn't really know that I was ready to win, I had a terrible start to the season and I felt like I was just trying to make my way into the top 110 and keep my card for next year. It's just a surreal way to do it."

McIlroy, who recently won the FedEx Cup for a second time when he won the Tour Championship, taking home $15m and moving him up in the world rankings into second spot, made five birdies in the last seven holes to put him back into the race and into the playoffs.

The Northern Irishman was keen to make amends in Switzerland, after his final round collapse back in 2008 when he blew a four-shot lead on the final day as he looked for his first win on the European Tour.